The Turkish government has received offers of assistance from the the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), the European Union and 45 countries following the devastating earthquake that struck southern Turkey early this morning.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the news in a televised address Monday, adding that at least 912 people have died in the country following the 7.8 magnitude quake.
Another 5,385 people have been injured and more than 2,400 people rescued from under the rubble of collapsed buildings.
The Turkish leader said there has been “heavy destruction” in cities, with around 2,818 buildings destroyed.
“We hope that we will overcome this disaster together as soon as possible,” Erdogan added.
In neighboring Syria, at least 386 people have died, including 239 mostly in the regions of Aleppo, Hama, Latakia and Tartus, Syrian state TV reported earlier. The “White Helmets” group, officially known as the Syria Civil Defense, also reported at least 147 deaths in opposition-controlled areas of northwestern Syria. Hundreds more have been reported injured in Syria.
In Syria, at least 386 people have died, including 239 mostly in the regions of Aleppo, Hama, Latakia and Tartus, Syrian state TV reported earlier. The “White Helmets” group, officially known as the Syria Civil Defense, also reported at least 147 deaths in opposition-controlled areas of northwestern Syria.
Hundreds more people were also injured following the earthquake, with 648 wounded in Aleppo, Hama, Latakia and Tartus, Syrian state TV reported. Another 340 injuries were also reported in opposition-controlled areas, White Helmets added.
Rescue teams in Turkey rescued over 2,400 people from under the rubble of buildings flattened by the quake, Erdogan said.
In Turkey, around 9,000 personnel are working at the moment on search and rescue efforts with more people joining, the Turkish leader added. It is unknown how many more people are under the debris.
The Turkish government’s coordination center is in the capital Ankara and is being run by Vice President Fuat Oktay, Erdogan said.